Rep. J. Randy Forbes voiced concern this week, after a visit to China, about possible Chinese military action if a planned referendum in Taiwan on U.N. membership is passed. Forbes, R-4th, is co-chairman of the Congressional China Caucus. He and other members of a congressional delegation met with Chinese officials, who Forbes said, "left little wiggle room" that if the Taiwan referendum is held and the question passes, "that would lead to military action."
Forbes said he raised with Chinese officials his view that the planned referendum would be "basically meaningless," but Chinese officials stood their ground. (Source: Peter Hardin, AP, Sep 1, 2007).